The Courtney S. Turner Charitable Trust is a private philanthropic foundation managed by Bank of America through its Missouri office. Established through a will dated August 25, 1978, the trust was created to support public charitable and educational initiatives. Courtney S. Turner, a native of Atchison, Kansas, had a distinguished background in military service, finance, and real estate. Upon returning to Atchison in 1968, Turner became known for his generous contributions to the community. His legacy continues through this charitable trust, which plays a significant role in enhancing the quality of life in the Atchison area.
The trust supports a variety of program types including community improvement, education, health, and human services, with a strong emphasis on grants that lead to tangible results. While a limited number of grants may be considered for operational costs, the trust prioritizes funding for specific initiatives such as capital equipment, buildings, and programs that can be completed within a defined short-term period. Multi-year grants are not typical; instead, trustees consider only one-year funding at a time, even when applicants submit multi-year proposals.
Eligibility is limited to 501(c)(3) nonprofit organizations serving the Atchison, Kansas community. The trust does not consider applications from outside this defined geography. This strict geographic restriction ensures that funding directly benefits the Atchison area and aligns with the original intent of the founder.
Applications are due annually by April 30. The submission process requires applicants to submit materials via Bank of America’s Philanthropic Solutions portal, where guidance and procedural documents are available in both PDF and Microsoft Word formats. All applications are initially reviewed by the Atchison Advisory Committee, with final funding decisions made by the Turner Trustees in June. Grantees are notified of funding decisions by the end of July, and awards are issued for a one-year period.
The trust is recurring on an annual basis. The next expected application cycle will follow a similar calendar, with an anticipated open date in early 2026 and a deadline again by April 30. For inquiries about the foundation or application process, applicants are directed to contact the foundation via the official program email at mo.grantmaking@bofa.com. Applicants must include the foundation name in the subject line of any communication.
Submit detailed capital or program-specific proposals; avoid requesting general operating support; one-year plans only.
